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Category: Air Force

432nd Wing wins the Doolittle Award for the second time

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The U.S. Air Force Historical Foundation has conferred its prestigious 2023 James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle Award upon the 432nd Wing and 432nd Air Expeditionary Wing, stationed at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada. This recognition underscores the wing’s exceptional performance in air operations across diverse theaters, further emphasizing the critical role of its advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

First MQ-9 Reaper at Creech AFB 2007
United States Air Force photo by Senior Airman Larry E. Reid Jr., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Hellenic Air Force eyes Mirage 2000 sale to India

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The Hellenic Air Force (HAF) is exploring options for its retired Mirage 2000 fleet, with India emerging as a potential buyer for the 18 Mirage 2000 EGM/BGM jets grounded in 2022. This move comes amidst broader questions about the future of the Mirage 2000-5 fleet and the HAF’s evolving fighter force composition.

HAF Mirage 2000-5B
Jerry Gunner from Lincoln, UK, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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USAF F-16 and C-17 to electrify Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow

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The Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow, scheduled for Easter weekend, has secured a major coup with the confirmation of the United States Air Force participation. Both the iconic F-16 Fighting Falcon and the mighty C-17 Globemaster III demonstration teams will grace the skies above New Zealand, adding a thrilling international dimension to the event.

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Vietnam’s fighter choice hinges on more than just hardware, analyst says

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As Vietnam gears up to select its next-generation fighter jet, Ian Storey, a Senior Fellow at ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute, suggests the decision carries more than just military implications. In a recent Fulcrum.sg analysis, Dr. Storey highlights the strategic balancing act Vietnam faces as it weighs options from both Russia and the US.

Vietnamese Su-22M4 with Kh-25s
Hoangprs5, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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3rd AS tests new combat offload method for the C-17

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The 3rd Airlift Squadron (AS) of the 436th Airlift Wing has successfully concluded trials of a novel C-17 Globemaster III combat offload procedure dubbed “Method C,” marking a potential leap forward in cargo delivery efficiency and safety. This innovative technique eliminates the need for traditional forklifts or other ground vehicles, utilizing a system of rollers and conveyor belts to safely transfer palletized cargo from the aircraft directly to the ground.

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Jared Soucy, 3rd Airlift Squadron loadmaster, adjusts the winch on a C-17 Globemaster III during combat offload Method C testing at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, Jan. 23, 2024. The new combat offload Method C would allow C-17s to deliver cargo without the assistance of any material handling equipment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Amanda Jett)

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